questions about beta blockers

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MudPhud20XX

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1. FA says beta blocker OD antidotes are saline, atropine, glucagon.
So I get glucagon works againtst beta blocker by increasing cAMP, but why use atropine and saline? Can anyone explain this?

2. Also, FA says beta blocker may mask hypoglycemia in diabetes. Beta 2 stimulates insulin thus can lead to hypoglycemia. So beta blockers should block insulin and lead to hyperglycemia right? Is that the point here? Then what do you exactly mean by "masking" hypoglycemia??

Many thanks in advance.
 
My take on why Beta Blockade masks hypoglycemia is that the blockade masks the signs of hypoglycemia i.e. shaking, nausea, ...... You're still in a state of hypoglycemia, but it is harder to tell that the patient/ for the patient to pick up on physical cues of hypoglycemia.

Saline is an antidote as far as I know, in that IV normal saline is a diluent and might interfere with any charged drug > lipid sol drugs.

I'd like to know why Atropine myself.
 
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